Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Newark Connection update
Did you know that five members of TSTI are working with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, mostly paired with students at the South 17th Street School? Rachel Rothman has requested a second “little” for next year, and she (and her daughters) hope that they can “upgrade” the relationship with her current "little" next year to community based. TSTI'S involvement with Big Brothers/Big Sisters is part of our attempt to reach out to our neighbors in Newark as a result of the inspiration we drew from Corey Booker’s speech at TSTI.
Monday, May 16, 2011
On May 6, volunteers at the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges - including our own Janet Schwamm and Cyndy Wyatt, participated in the 8th Annual Essex County Walk to Fight Hunger. Read more about the walk here: http://southorange.patch.com/articles/about-town-residents-walked-to-fight-hunger#photo-6069435
Monday, May 2, 2011
More good works from TSTI members
TSTI members were out in force on the social action front this week. Ten of our members helped ensured that the week was a little easier for 60 clients of the Interfaith Food Pantry. Those clients first wait for referrals from social service agencies to the Pantry, and then wait again as we sort groceries, bag donated bread, cake and sweet treats, and set up and distribute bags of canned goods that will help them stretch their food supplies.
The numbers of people seeking help from the Pantry keep growing, which means we need an ever increasing amount of canned goods. The cans you bring to TSTI for the pantry mean not seem like much to you, but they are so needed by our neighbors. Please remember to bring a can each time you come to TSTI.
As work on the West Orange Habitat home continues, TSTI members continue to do their part. Julie Alter, Ruth Richards, Nancy Distel, Bennett Lieber and Dennis Percher worked on caulking and building the house's porch this past Saturday. What a great way to spend a Saturday!
The numbers of people seeking help from the Pantry keep growing, which means we need an ever increasing amount of canned goods. The cans you bring to TSTI for the pantry mean not seem like much to you, but they are so needed by our neighbors. Please remember to bring a can each time you come to TSTI.
As work on the West Orange Habitat home continues, TSTI members continue to do their part. Julie Alter, Ruth Richards, Nancy Distel, Bennett Lieber and Dennis Percher worked on caulking and building the house's porch this past Saturday. What a great way to spend a Saturday!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
TSTI volunteers build Habitat for Humanity homes
Habitat For Humanity Newark has been building hope, homes, and community in the City of Newark since 1986. In that time, they have built over 70 houses. And for most of those years, TSTI has been sending groups of volunteers to help build those houses for deserving families. Habitat Humanity Newark has recently expanded beyond Newark to begin building houses in West Orange.
That was where a group of eight TSTI volunteers were working on Saturday, April 3, building a new, two-family house where a parking lot used to be. TSTI members Gary Potters, Dennis Percher, Ed and Maddy Reichman, Tony Robinson, Carol Schiffman and Dan Kaslow joined Preschool Director Carol Paster, who is an officer of the Habitat Newark Board. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome to participate in Habitat construction, and professional carpenters are there to supervise. The work we do varies depending on what phase of construction is going on. Last Saturday’s volunteers were cutting and hammering: covering pre-fabricated roof trusses with plywood and doing rough framing on the first and second floors.
TSTI generally sends volunteer groups to Habitat about four times a year, usually on Saturdays or Sundays. The Habitat work day lasts from 8 a.m. to about 4 p.m Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, and youths under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
If you are interested in getting involved in TSTI’s work with Habitat, contact Barbara Laub at 973-763-8379, blaub2@gmail.com.
An affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat Newark seeks to eliminate substandard housing and homelessness. Through volunteer work and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds simple, decent homes with the help of partner families who become the homeowners. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, 0% interest loans. The homeowner’s monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving fund that is used to build more homes in the neighborhood. Habitat homeowners, who are generally hard-working low-income family people, devote at least 400 hours of “sweat equity” helping to build their home and their future neighbors’ homes within the Habitat Newark neighborhood.
That was where a group of eight TSTI volunteers were working on Saturday, April 3, building a new, two-family house where a parking lot used to be. TSTI members Gary Potters, Dennis Percher, Ed and Maddy Reichman, Tony Robinson, Carol Schiffman and Dan Kaslow joined Preschool Director Carol Paster, who is an officer of the Habitat Newark Board. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome to participate in Habitat construction, and professional carpenters are there to supervise. The work we do varies depending on what phase of construction is going on. Last Saturday’s volunteers were cutting and hammering: covering pre-fabricated roof trusses with plywood and doing rough framing on the first and second floors.
TSTI generally sends volunteer groups to Habitat about four times a year, usually on Saturdays or Sundays. The Habitat work day lasts from 8 a.m. to about 4 p.m Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, and youths under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
If you are interested in getting involved in TSTI’s work with Habitat, contact Barbara Laub at 973-763-8379, blaub2@gmail.com.
An affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat Newark seeks to eliminate substandard housing and homelessness. Through volunteer work and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds simple, decent homes with the help of partner families who become the homeowners. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, 0% interest loans. The homeowner’s monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving fund that is used to build more homes in the neighborhood. Habitat homeowners, who are generally hard-working low-income family people, devote at least 400 hours of “sweat equity” helping to build their home and their future neighbors’ homes within the Habitat Newark neighborhood.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Newark Connection: Make a Difference
We continue TSTI's Newark Connection project, which was inspired by our congregants asking "what can we do?" after Newark Mayor Corey Booker's visit to our congregation. One of our on-going efforts is helping improve the lives of Newark's children by sharing our time and talents with elementary school children at an afterschool program. How wonderful that Roger Landau has chosen to make a difference in these children's lives:
"For the past year, I've volunteered at the St Ann's after-school program in Newark. St Ann's runs a day
care center with an after-school program for elementary school students. On alternating Thursdays, I
play games and lead athletic activities for the kids. I like to think that I'm channeling my inner gym
teacher. When the weather is good, we go outside to play on the narrow blacktop adjoining the
building. I start the kids with some calisthenics and stretching. Then, I teach basic basketball skills.
This is a little tough to do because the only basketball hoop they have is a rickety, portable hoop that
stands about five feet tall and is too small for a regular size ball to fit through. Despite the challenging
facilities, the kids love playing hoops and have even improved their basketball skills.
In addition to bringing basketballs with me, I pack a variety of jump ropes which the girls like to use.
The girls and one of the boys have also organized a cheerleading squad. When we take a break from
basketball, the cheerleading squad comes out for the “half-time” show. They are a little disorganized,
but once they decide which cheers to perform, they are actually quite good.
In the winter, it's a little more difficult to run a gym class due to the tight space. Nonetheless, I've tried
to adapt and the kids are still enthusiastic. In addition to calisthenics, this winter I taught yoga to the
kids. They love to stand on their heads! While on winter break from college, my older son came with
me and taught weight-lifting. The kids loved it, too! My son returned to college and now I lug a bag
full of weights to St Anns.
Overall, volunteering at St Anns has been a very rewarding experience. I feel like I've touched the
lives of these kids while providing positive lessons in physical fitness. I look forward to continuing to
volunteer at St Anns."
Arlene Gordon coordinates our efforts at St. Ann's. You (and your appropriate age children) can volunteer (for as little as 3 times on a weekday afternoon) and do an activity you choose: art, gym, reading, etc. Make a difference! Contact Arlene Gordon jecasago@aol.com for more information.
"For the past year, I've volunteered at the St Ann's after-school program in Newark. St Ann's runs a day
care center with an after-school program for elementary school students. On alternating Thursdays, I
play games and lead athletic activities for the kids. I like to think that I'm channeling my inner gym
teacher. When the weather is good, we go outside to play on the narrow blacktop adjoining the
building. I start the kids with some calisthenics and stretching. Then, I teach basic basketball skills.
This is a little tough to do because the only basketball hoop they have is a rickety, portable hoop that
stands about five feet tall and is too small for a regular size ball to fit through. Despite the challenging
facilities, the kids love playing hoops and have even improved their basketball skills.
In addition to bringing basketballs with me, I pack a variety of jump ropes which the girls like to use.
The girls and one of the boys have also organized a cheerleading squad. When we take a break from
basketball, the cheerleading squad comes out for the “half-time” show. They are a little disorganized,
but once they decide which cheers to perform, they are actually quite good.
In the winter, it's a little more difficult to run a gym class due to the tight space. Nonetheless, I've tried
to adapt and the kids are still enthusiastic. In addition to calisthenics, this winter I taught yoga to the
kids. They love to stand on their heads! While on winter break from college, my older son came with
me and taught weight-lifting. The kids loved it, too! My son returned to college and now I lug a bag
full of weights to St Anns.
Overall, volunteering at St Anns has been a very rewarding experience. I feel like I've touched the
lives of these kids while providing positive lessons in physical fitness. I look forward to continuing to
volunteer at St Anns."
Arlene Gordon coordinates our efforts at St. Ann's. You (and your appropriate age children) can volunteer (for as little as 3 times on a weekday afternoon) and do an activity you choose: art, gym, reading, etc. Make a difference! Contact Arlene Gordon jecasago@aol.com for more information.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Interfaith Food Pantry - Teen Board and more
I've been to the Community FoodBank of NJ many times over the years, but never saw it from the "agency" side. Dina Pressel and I today accompanied Diane Stein, coordinator for the InterFaith Food Pantry ("IFP"), on a run to pick up needed pantry items. Accredited agencies like the IFP can "purchase" groceries for use by their organization from the FoodBank for 16 cents a pound. That 16 cents covers the FoodBank's costs for these goods (even if goods are donated, there are still costs associated with the FoodBank's massive warehouse, with staff and trucks, etc.).
We "shopped" for donated goods that were on the FoodBank's agency shelves. For about $40, we were able to purchase 16 large boxes full of cereal and cookies (which we grabbed off the shelves since they weigh so little but cost so much if purchased at retail), and several boxes of needed beans and vegetables. Dina and I were amazed at how much "low weight" food we were able to acquire. We also picked up a previously placed order of goods including peanut butter, canned vegetables, mac and cheese and more (these were a lot heavier and so cost a lot more). After we filled two cars with these items, Dina and Diane went to drop them at the Pantry in Orange. A lot of womanpower needed to be able to sustain this project, but such a great thing to be able to do.
I learned one really important thing this morning: when you "Bring One" to TSTI, try to donate the "heavier" items. While the IFP does need pasta, cereal, cookies and mac n'cheese, the IFP can buy those items fairly cheapily when they are available at the FoodBank. If you make a choice between what to purchase when you spend $1 to buy and donate an item, buy the green vegetables, the corn, the canned potatoes, the soup, the tuna, the jelly, the peanut butter, and the beans. This will help the IFP stretch its funds.
Teen Board: A Teen Board has just been started for the IFP. Teens are invited to come help volunteer and to find ways to make the IFP a more successful endeavor. At the first brainstorming session, abut 20 teens (including 2 from TSTI) came up with some fabulous ideas, including some fundraising ideas (remember, it costs to buy food to give out when there's not enough donated goods) and creating a pamphlet about the IFP that can be handed out on days when we solicit funds at supermarkets or other locations. The Board will meet on an irregular basis, but activities will be continually planned. Teens who are interested in participating in the Board activities should contact Diane Stein, IFP Coordinator. dianehstein@aol.com
We "shopped" for donated goods that were on the FoodBank's agency shelves. For about $40, we were able to purchase 16 large boxes full of cereal and cookies (which we grabbed off the shelves since they weigh so little but cost so much if purchased at retail), and several boxes of needed beans and vegetables. Dina and I were amazed at how much "low weight" food we were able to acquire. We also picked up a previously placed order of goods including peanut butter, canned vegetables, mac and cheese and more (these were a lot heavier and so cost a lot more). After we filled two cars with these items, Dina and Diane went to drop them at the Pantry in Orange. A lot of womanpower needed to be able to sustain this project, but such a great thing to be able to do.
I learned one really important thing this morning: when you "Bring One" to TSTI, try to donate the "heavier" items. While the IFP does need pasta, cereal, cookies and mac n'cheese, the IFP can buy those items fairly cheapily when they are available at the FoodBank. If you make a choice between what to purchase when you spend $1 to buy and donate an item, buy the green vegetables, the corn, the canned potatoes, the soup, the tuna, the jelly, the peanut butter, and the beans. This will help the IFP stretch its funds.
Teen Board: A Teen Board has just been started for the IFP. Teens are invited to come help volunteer and to find ways to make the IFP a more successful endeavor. At the first brainstorming session, abut 20 teens (including 2 from TSTI) came up with some fabulous ideas, including some fundraising ideas (remember, it costs to buy food to give out when there's not enough donated goods) and creating a pamphlet about the IFP that can be handed out on days when we solicit funds at supermarkets or other locations. The Board will meet on an irregular basis, but activities will be continually planned. Teens who are interested in participating in the Board activities should contact Diane Stein, IFP Coordinator. dianehstein@aol.com
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Quite a morning at the InterFaith Food Pantry. Too busy to count everyone there, but we estimate we had 20 adults and 25 - 30 kids. We distributed food to 55 clients. The number seems to continually grow. That in turn means we constantly need more food each month.
It was wonderful to see so many kids, who happily helped bag the donated bread and cake for distribution, lugged cans from the stockroom, separated groceries by "type", helped distribute goods into bags for clients, lugged bags filled with groceries to the front, restocked the pantry shelves, and colored lunch bags that were then filled with donated candy to make the clients' difficult days a little more sweet. Much appreciation to all those who dusted, reorganized and cleaned our stockroom! And a world of thanks to Dina Pressel, who was in charge today for the indomitable Janet Schwamm.
It is amazing how much food we go through on our daily distribution. Even though the clients only get a small amount of groceries each time they come (this is considered supplemental food, and is not enough to feed their families for the week), it add up when you need 55 jars of peanut butter, 55 boxes of cereal, 55 cans of green vegetables, etc. Our pantry shelves are almost totally bare. Please, please, please, remember to bring one (or more) when you come to Temple.
It was wonderful to see so many kids, who happily helped bag the donated bread and cake for distribution, lugged cans from the stockroom, separated groceries by "type", helped distribute goods into bags for clients, lugged bags filled with groceries to the front, restocked the pantry shelves, and colored lunch bags that were then filled with donated candy to make the clients' difficult days a little more sweet. Much appreciation to all those who dusted, reorganized and cleaned our stockroom! And a world of thanks to Dina Pressel, who was in charge today for the indomitable Janet Schwamm.
It is amazing how much food we go through on our daily distribution. Even though the clients only get a small amount of groceries each time they come (this is considered supplemental food, and is not enough to feed their families for the week), it add up when you need 55 jars of peanut butter, 55 boxes of cereal, 55 cans of green vegetables, etc. Our pantry shelves are almost totally bare. Please, please, please, remember to bring one (or more) when you come to Temple.
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